Hair straightening - What age?

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What age would you let your DC straighten (or curl) their hair?

Any age. It’s not a big deal is it?

Dd is 7 and I curl and crimp it for parties and dance competitions

My DD is 11 I’ve straighten her hair for a few years for special occasions and last Xmas she got some tongs.

I dont mean occasionly with my help which I would do as soon as they asked but have their own straighteners in their room that they can use whenever they want unsupervised?

On a daily basis? I'd never encourage that - especially with naturally curly hair as it ruins the curl and it's a bitch to grow the whole thing out again. I have straightened 13 year old DDs hair a few times for special occasions and wouldn't forbid her from doing it now she is a teen but I would explain what is does to your hair and would urge caution. Luckily DD is happy with her thick wavy hair and leaves it be.

I really hate it on very young girls, I can't quite put my finger on why.

It can really fuck up your hair. I straighten my curly hair regularly, so know first hand the damage it can do. I would say wait until teens. And even then reinforce about conditioning treatments, heat protection spray not doing it everyday day etc.

It does stop hair curling and does effect the condition of the hair. You really need to look after it if you straighten it a lot.

Also encourage your kids to learn how to blow dry their hair before using straighteners etc to lessen the damage.

My DC who are asking for their own straighteners are 9 and 11, both have curly hair.
I do it for them for special occasions but dont encourage it and I'm currently putting off buying their own by saying I dont want them to burn themselves but know at some point I'm going to have to let them.

I can’t imagine letting my 11 year old have his own straighteners but luckily he has short hair. I absolutely guarantee he would leave them turned on and lying on the carpet or similar.

Once they're at secondary school, let them choose their hairstyle as long as it is allowed by school. Products and tools can be birthday / Christmas presents or paid for out of pocket money.

As other posters say, explain the risks and how to mitigate them e.g. heat protector spray, periods without using heat, deep conditioning masks, being gentle with the hair, regular trims (or maybe keeping hair a bit shorter). Also encourage them to go for a cut that suits the natural texture of the hair, or styles that don't require straightening, such as braids.